2008 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron Pauillac Bordeaux France Wine Tasting Note
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2008
Château Pichon-Longueville Baron (Pauillac)
A perfect example of classic Pauillac. The wine combines regal and stern attributes. There is power, waves of ripe, dark, juicy, deep fruits, and a wealth of tannins, but much of its character is still held in check. It's austere at the moment and while it will flesh out and soften with age, developing nuances and complexities, this is always going to be on the classic, structured, masculine side of the style range. 5,044 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2018Tight at the moment as you would expect. With effort, layers of fresh, juicy cassis, blackberry, earth, oak and cigar box aromas are available. Good concentratin of flavor, balance, ripe tannins and freshness... What more could you ask for? As 2008 still sells for a fair price, this is work seeking out. 8,315 Views Tasted Oct 6, 20142008 Pichon Baron has a cassis filled perfume that’s complicated with hints of tobacco, coca, earth and blackberry jam. Full bodied and loaded with flavor, this elegant, round, polished Pauillac feels great on the palate and ends with a long cassis and dark berry sensation. 93 Pts 13,200 Views Tasted Jul 20, 201008 Château Pichon Baron was deep ruby with purple accents in color. Blackberry, cassis, raspberry, and a touch of oak were easily discernible in the nose. Soft tannins, concentration, and a good depth of flavor are the hallmark of this wine. If it puts on a bit more weight, and it should, this Pichon Baron will be outstanding. 91-94 Pts 12,433 Views Tasted Aug 31, 2009 |
When to Drink Chateau Pichon Baron, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Chateau Pichon Baron is not a wine to drink on the young side. The wine is usually far too tannic, powerful, and backward during its youth. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 3-6 hours, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.
Chateau Pichon Baron is usually better with at least 15 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Pichon Baron offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 15 and 50 years of age after the vintage.
Serving Chateau Pichon Baron with Wine and Food Pairings
Chateau Pichon Baron is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.
Chateau Pichon Baron is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Pichon Baron is also good when matched with Asian dishes, and rich fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.
The estate made two changes starting with the 2012 vintage. Consumers are now able to go to the website for the chateau and use the visual recognition system that is now placed on the bottles on both on the capsule and back label.
Each capsule and back label has a unique code they can enter into the website to show if their bottle is authentic and the consumer can also know where the wine was initially sold, as a way to guarantee its authenticity. It's a step in the right direction that helps fight wine fraud and counterfeiting.
Additionally, the same technical team that is responsible for Chateau Pichon Baron produces Cap Royal. A quick glance at the label will remind you of the relationship. Cap Royal is available as a Merlot-dominated wine from Bordeaux Superieur.
Cap Royal is also available as a white Bordeaux wine made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Cap Royal is a true value Bordeaux wine. Interestingly, Cap Royal is a certified vegan wine.